Poonch is a town located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. This town is also the district headquarters of Poonch district. It is a very old city and has found mention in many old books. Poonch has witnessed many historical events and has been ruled by outsiders and locals at different junctures till it became a part of independent India. It has been ruled by different dynasties including the Loharas, Dogras etc. Poonch is an enthralling hunting ground for trekkers and nature lovers. The lush green meadows and coniferous forests display rich wealth of flora and fauna.
Demography of Poonch
As per 2011 census Poonch has a population of 40,987. Males comprise 55 % of the population and females 45 %. Poonch has an average literacy rate of 79 %, higher than the national average of 59.5 %. Male literacy is 84 %, and female literacy is 77 %. In Poonch, 13 % of the population is under 6 years of age. Muslims form 87 %of the total population, Hindus 6 % and Sikhs 7 %.
History of Poonch
Poonch has witnessed many past era. Around 326 BC, when the invasion of Alexander the Great in the lower Jhelum belt to fight with Porus, this region was known as "Dravabhisar". In 6th Century AD, the famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang passed through this area. According to his inspection, this region was known as a "Part of Kashmir" also known as "Mini Kashmir". Around 850 AD Poonch became a sovereign state ruled by Raja Nar, who was basically a horse trader.
In the year 1596, Mughal Emperor Jahangir made Raja Siraj-Ud-Din Rathore, the descendant of Rao Jodha and Rao Suraj Singh, new ruler of Poonch. Siraj-Ud-Din and his descendent Raja Shahbaz Khan Rathore, Raja Abdul Razak Rathore, Raja Rustam Khan Rathore and Raja Khan Bahadur Khan Rathore ruled this region up to 1798 AD. From 1819 A.D -1850 A.D Poonch remained a part of Khalsa Darbar, and it remained under the occupation of the Sikh Empire until 1850. In 1850 A.D Dogra Raja Moti Singh laid foundation of Dogra Raj in Poonch.
Geography of Poonch
Poonch is entirely hilly and mountainous barring few-low laying valleys. In winters all the areas height are covered with snow. The town has an average altitude of 981 metres (3218 feet). Pir Panjal range of mountains separates Poonch valley from Kashmir valley.
Transportation at Poonch
For a long time the only road connection between the two valleys was from Jammu. But now with the completion of Mughal Road there will be a direct connectivity between the two. There is a small airport. There is no railway station near to Poonch city in less than 10 km. However Jammu Tawi Railway Station is major railway station 156 km away from Poonch.
